Students fill Cops for Cancer fundraising calendar

Headshots like wanted posters dot the walls and halls at Oak Bay High.

The students in the head-and-shoulders photos sport various amounts of hair, and various amounts will drop to the floor as they lose their locks for the school’s Cops for Cancer (called C4C by students) campaign.

The annual head shave event is Sept. 29 from roughly noon (historically the space fills to capacity earlier).

“We invite anyone in the community to come out,” said Jack Mulcahy, one of three Grade 12 co-leaders of the C4C campaign.

The annual event includes waxing, headshaves and pies in the face for staff, students and local dignitaries that often includes the mayor and a good-natured police officer or firefighter. All raise funds for the campaign.

Last year the C4C campaign and Oak Bay Nation – the term students and staff use to describe the school population and wider community – raised $42,501 for the Canadian Cancer Society fundraiser Tour de Rock, where officers bike the length of the Island to support cancer research and Camp Goodtimes.

“It’s a super good way to give back. Being my grad year I wanted to get involved more and C4C is something where you can get the whole school involved,” Jack said.

Fellow co-leader Misha Hasan started her campaigning in Grade 9. “That’s how I made friends,” she said. “On a personal level cancer is something that has greatly affected my family.”

It’s “unimaginable” she said, to think of children facing those same challenges.

“They’re at such a disadvantage, if we’re able to help, we should,” agreed Emma Bon, the third leader.

They’ve already hosted a series of car washes and have plans for a bottle drive Saturday (Sept. 24) at the high school. Areas that will be canvassed for pickup already received flyers. Those residents can put out their returnables curb-side. Others are free to drop off donations at the high school on Cranmore Road from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Oak Bay High’s spring fun fair went so well they’ll leap into a fall event Sunday, Sept. 25 at Willows Beach Park. Entry is by donation from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with games including parachute, tug of war and craft tables.

“It’s an old school kind of thing with pin the tail on the donkey, ball toss, bean bag toss, all those fun things,” said Misha.

Monday, Sept. 26 features a student talent show in the Dave Dunnet Community Theatre. Doors open at 6:30 with entry by donation to the campaign.

A fashion and art show, featuring student work, is slated for Sept. 30 at the school.

Tickets are available at the door for $8 for students and $10 for adults.

A community garage sale fills Saturday, Oct. 1 at Oak Bay High. Residents can purchase a table for $20 to sell their wares from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

In the midst of all the fundraising, the campaign team is organizing an event for Oct. 6 when the Tour de Rock riders roll into town.

The two-week, 1,000-kilometre bike ride for a team of police officers and guest riders to raise money to fight childhood cancer starts Sept. 24 and ends Oct. 7 in Victoria.

To purchase a garage sale table, or for other campaign questions, call Jack at 250-885-4423 or email emma_bon@telus.net.